Features

As the local saltwater areas become warmer, some super fun outdoor activity picks up. We are fortunate to be in an area where the blue crabs are plentiful. Historically, the pursuit of these tasty crustaceans has been a family adventure. Cold weather means cold water, and the crabs don’t move around much. With the type of winter that has just passed the water was chilled for quite a time. That trend has been changing and with the warmer water comes some really fine times to head out to the areas where the crab action is.

The water temperature on Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend has finally topped the 70-degree mark, according to guide Bill Fondren, and with that warming water temperature, crappie are beginning their transition from shallow to deep water.

“They started moving out of the shallows last week,” said Fondren, who runs guided crappie fishing trips on both lakes. “On Sam Rayburn, we’re catching them on the upper end of the lake around brush in about 8 to 11 feet of water. But on Toledo Bend, the most consistent action is over grass in 8 to 10 feet of water.”

Rolling down the Neches ... After a whirlwind of activities over two weeks, the 63rd annual Neches River Festival came to a wonderful close Sunday at the farewell brunch held in the lovely home of Crissy and Todd Clarke. Our future Beaumont leaders started the second weekend of the NRF with a get acquainted party co-chaired by Nicole Saba and DynasyPhelan at the Jefferson Theater. Dressing ’80s style, many of the creative seniors brought their own flair to the retro fashion.

Novrozsky’s has been a local legend since Dave Jones purchased the burger joint in 1983, back when he recalls the small restaurant offering burgers, fries and mismatched chairs. Nearly 30 years later, the fast-casual restaurant selling everything from onion rings (which are great) to tuna steaks (which are healthy) has an un-matched menu with everything you’d expect--and a few things you wouldn’t.

A royal good time … Once again, our fair city kicks off spring with magnificent Neches River Festival events. Beginning with the unmasking of King Neches LXIII at the Collier Ferry Dock on April 5, guests were thrilled when social chairs Melanie Heartfield and Tracy Bean revealed NRF King Thad Heartfield. Observing the presentation were Cornie Heartfield, Knights of the Neches and princes and princesses of the royal court.

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